Newcastle Knights great Matty Johns says he’s disappointed that Connor Watson is moving to the Roosters but that he admires the way he went about making the call.
Watson, 25, started his career with the Roosters before making a move to the Knights in 2018, and he’ll reunite with his boyhood club from next season.
It’s been revealed that Watson actually took a two-year deal with the Roosters instead of re-signing with the Knights on a three-year deal for more money, proving his desire to again wear the tri-colours.
While Johns said the Knights would be disappointed, he revealed a chat he had with Watson that helps explain the decision.
“From a Knights perspective, it’s disappointing,” Johns said on SEN 1170 Drive with Joel and Fletch.
“But, I’ll tell you something, I interviewed him last night… and I’ve got that much admiration for how he made his decision.
“It started with a conversation with Trent Robinson, and he said, ‘I’ve always wanted to play in England, do you think it’s time?’.
“So Robbo said, ‘No, I don’t think it’s time, the way the game’s gone suits you and I think you’ve got a lot left here’.
“Then he said, ‘We’ve always wanted to bring you back, here’s our offer’.
“Newcastle offered him a hell of a lot more, but in his mind he said, ‘I’m going to make a football decision here’, and he’s gone to the Roosters.
“I admire that and have a lot of respect for him.
“It’s keeping with the bloke he is, whenever I’ve had something to do with Connor he’s just been an outstanding guy.”
Johns believes Watson’s move further proves that the gap between the best and worst sides is continuing to grow.
“For Newcastle, the loss it two-fold, both his energy through the middle and for a club it’s never nice to say a bloke’s left for less,” he added.
“But when you’re Melbourne, the Roosters and the Bunnies now, that’s what happens.
“That’s why the gap between the best and the rest continue to widen, because the top four clubs, players go there for less.”
Watson will play out the rest of the season with Newcastle before moving to Sydney.
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